THE FREEDOM RIDES MUSEUM

Freedom Wrinkles are part of a movement organized by civil rights activists in 1961. They were intended to test compliance with non-segregationist laws in inter-State transport, with Greyhound and Trailways companies being the first representatives.

Activists who participated in the various Freedom Wrinkles from May 4, 1961 were abused by the crowd and arrested in several southern states, on the pretext of violating the laws said Jim Crow (a collection of orders and regulations generally enacted in municipalities, which favoured segregation in transportation and public places). The worst violence occurred in Alabama, the cities of Anniston (14 May), Birmingham (14 May) and Montgomery (20 May).

During the movement (from May 04 to November 1, 1961), the number of activists reached over 450. By the end of 1961, more than 300 had been arrested in the city of Jackson (Mississippi), and most were sent to prison. It was on the descent of their bus at this station, on May 20, 1961, that a group of 21 Freedom Riders was seriously injured by an angry crowd. Learn how these young people, none of whom were over 22 years old, helped change history. On occasion, watch the movie Freedom Riders (2010), Stanley Nelson, who can be seen freely at http://video.pbs.org/video/1925571160 (accessible or not based on the region of reading)